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A recent article discusses a new program that is designed to help veterans age-in-place. The newly-announced nationwide grant program is partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as well as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide assistance to disabled older Americans and veterans who want to age at home for as long as possible.

With independence being the main goal, the program is designed to help the families of older Americans and veterans with disabilities of all ages care for their loved ones in the community.

According to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, this partnership is a landmark collaboration between the two agencies and is based on the similar missions of HHS and the VA with regard to caring for the populations they serve. Both representatives have the ultimate goal of establishing a nationwide home and community-based, long-term care, support program to serve older Americans and veterans of all ages.

Sebelius described the program, “This HHS/VA initiative combines the hands-on experience and skills of HHS’ national network of aging and community-based organizations with the commitment and resources of VA’s Veterans Health Administration to provide more people (particularly our nation’s veterans) with additional opportunities to remain independent.”

With an initial $10 million in funding, this innovative partnership will implement the Veteran Directed Home & Community Based Service (VDHCBS) program through HHS’ Aging and Human Services Network, in coordination with the Administration on Aging’s (AoA) Community Living Program (CLP), which helps the family caregivers of individuals with an ongoing need to keep their loved ones at home.

“Through this collaboration, many adults and veterans who would have previously been placed in nursing homes will be able to remain with their loved ones. This is another significant way America can recognize and care for the individuals who have cared for us,” Sebelius added.

Participants are allowed to direct their own care under both programs, including having control over the types of services they receive and the manner in which they are provided. One of the more significant provisions of the program allows beneficiaries the option of hiring their neighbors, friends, and even some family members to provide needed services.

“This collaboration provides an opportunity to serve our nation’s veterans by offering more long-term care, more choices and control over decisions, and by helping veterans to remain in their homes, supported by family and community,” noted Shinseki.

Under the collaboration, HHS’ national network of aging and community-based organizations will work in close collaboration with the VA Medical Centers across the country to continue to develop and expand VDHCBS for veterans. In addition, the CLP, led by AoA, will help states and communities to assist individuals who are at risk of nursing home placement but who are not Medicaid-eligible to remain at home.

Various State Units on Aging are expected to apply for the program before the close of applications on August 3, 2009. Part of the process includes the submission of a letter of intent before July 1, 2009. The program’s projected start date is September 30, 2009.

Are you following us on Twitter? — Home Evolutions will give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

It seems like more and more home tours these days are featuring universal design homes as part of the tour. This gives potential homeowners the opportunity to see just some of the ways that a universal design home can allow them to age in place.

Even if you are not looking to buy a new home, I highly recommend going on one of these tours that has a universally designed home to get an idea of what can be done with universal design. Remember, even if you’re not in the market, you can modify your home with universal design. By going on a tour, you can see what you like or dislike.

This past weekend in Owensboro, Kentucky, visitors at a local “Parade of Homes” were able to explore a universal design home at the 51st annual Owensboro Parade of Homes, sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Owensboro.

Those touring the two-story home at 3161 Spring Ridge Parkway, built by Martin Custom Building, were able to see how a home can be built or remodeled using universal design features. For instance, they got to see a walk-through shower in the master bedroom.

Another home on the tour also featured universal design aspects. Built by Homes By Benny Clark, this universal designed home has no steps (zero-step entry), no thresholds, wide door openings, microwave and dishwasher drawers, hand-held shower heads and knee space beneath cooktops and sinks.

According to the article, Clark described the home as being a “house for the future. The home’s design makes it is easily accessible for seniors and people with disabilities.”

One of the visitors, Ruth Brown, who lives nearby, visited this particular home because  her family is considering building a home, and her daughter, an occupational therapist, recommended a universal design.

Other people, like Ashley Bruner and Jason English of Owensboro, aren’t looking to build a home—but Bruner wanted to get ideas for the future as they begin to age. That’s something that we recommend that you do the next time there’s a home tour in your neck of the woods.

Are you following us on Twitter? We’ll give you real-time updates when our latest blogs are posted as well as timely information on Aging-in-Place news from around the country.

As part of a national movement to promote Aging-in-Place initiatives, four communities across the country are hosting workshops this month, bringing experts together for discussions aimed at helping seniors remain in their communities.

Attendees also will learn how to apply for “JumpStart the Conversation” grants designed to help local organizations bring innovative ideas to life. The workshops are sponsored by MetLife Foundation, Partners for Livable Communities (Partners), and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a).

The events taking place during the month of June include:
• San Antonio, Texas — June 11, Redesigning Communities for Aging in Place
• Richmond, Virginia — June 17, Engaging Community Leaders in the Process
• Wichita, Kansas — June 23, Revitalizing Communities for All Generations
• Chattanooga, Tennessee — June 30, Building Partnerships

The workshops identify strategies for improving livability for those of all ages through: partnership building, community redesign, and intergenerational connections. Local discussions complement the national conversation on aging and highlight the creative work being done to make communities first-rate areas for all ages.

According to the 2006 survey, “The Maturing of America — Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population,” a report led by n4a, Partners, the International City-County Management Association, the National Association of Counties, and the National League of Cities and funded by MetLife Foundation, only 46% of American communities have begun planning to address the needs of the exploding population of aging Baby Boomers. The first Boomers reached age 60 in 2006 and will be 65 in 2011. This rapidly aging population will hit its peak in 2030 when the number of people over age 65 in the United States will soar to 71.5 million, double the figure for 2000, or one in every five Americans.

“JumpStart the Conversation” grants allow area organizations to take local action on Aging-in-Place initiatives. In each region holding workshops, nine grants of $1,000 and one grant of $2,500 will be awarded to support innovative ideas tailored to the community. Although applicants do not have to attend to be eligible for a grant, the workshops are meant to be a catalyst for action and to stimulate participants to begin considering their community’s specific needs.

Previous workshops have taken place in Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Kansas City, Chicago, San Diego, Charlotte, Miami, and most recently, in St. Louis. They have resulted in grant awards for such innovative projects as:

• La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation in San Diego — spearheaded a group drumming project for older adults and youth, providing an opportunity for all to learn about rhythm and movement and to reinforce the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle that can be shared by all.

• The Miami Behavioral Health Center — promoted a “Mobility Maps” program to seniors in the Miami-Dade area that alerts seniors to different transportation options based on specific transportation needs.

• Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens in Arizona — developed new business partnerships with the 13 Chamber of Commerce organizations in the two-county area with the goal of creating age-appropriate jobs for older adult workers.

•Thomas J. Brown, Jr. Foundation, Inc. of Kansas City — recruited skilled professionals with experience in minor interior and exterior home repair and lawn maintenance to help older adults remain in their homes and neighborhoods as long as possible.

For more information on Aging-in-Place initiatives, upcoming workshops, and “JumpStart” grant recipients, visit www.aginginplaceinitiative.org.

Once you have made the decision to age-in-place, the next step for many seniors and people with disabilities is determining exactly what one needs to do in order to remain living comfortably and safely in one’s own home.

Many people will decide to remodel their existing homes using a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) like Home Evolutions. Some may even decide to build or purchase an entirely new home that better suits their aging-in-place needs.

Whatever option you decide will best help you to continue living independently, a recent article recommends seven things that you should always keep in mind for your aging-in-place residence.

1)    Canes, Walkers, and Wheelchairs—Finding the right home or properly planning home modifications can help you to maneuver around more safely.

•    Entrance doors should be at least 36″ wide and interior doors should be a minimum of 32″ wide for wheelchair and walker access.

•    Rooms should be designed so as not to impede passage.

•    Avoid high-pile carpeting, area rugs, or flooring that has a slippery surface because they can be trip and fall hazards.

2)    Balance and Standing—As people grow older, physical issues caused by lack of muscle strength, equilibrium, and other conditions begin to appear. Two areas to especially consider where standing occurs regularly are bathrooms and kitchens.

•    Ensure that these rooms have sufficient space and are designed with grab bars in mind.

•    Make sure that these rooms’ space allows for turning if roll-under sinks are installed.

•    Build counters at the proper height in these areas.

•    Ensure that there are ample places for chairs or benches.

3)    Bending and Reaching—Keep as many things needed for your daily life within as easy reach as possible. Areas of the home that are more prone for this to be an issue include the kitchen, laundry room, and bedrooms (especially closets).

•    Make sure there are sufficient cabinets at the proper height and enough counter space to reduce bending and reaching.

•    Consider installing under cabinet, roll-out shelves or pull-down shelves.

•    Make sure that closets are sufficiently sized for closet organizing systems.

4)    Reduced Hearing—When remodeling or buying, keep in mind that older people have a more difficult time hearing phone ringers, doorbells, and alarms of any kind.

•    Make sure that there are sufficient telephone jacks in the house. (All commonly used rooms should have them—the closer the ring, the more likely it is to be heard.)

•    Install smoke and CO2 alarms in the proper rooms. (You can also replace older models with ones that have visual indicators or louder alarms.)

•    Voices through doors are difficult to hear, so having a window in or near entrance doors is a good idea and very important for safety.

5)    Grasping and Holding Items—Opening drawers or doors, holding items that may be heavy, and any fixtures that require holding and turning to operate need to be given thought.

•    Install cabinet drawers and doors that have “D” shaped handles.

•    Install door knobs that are lever-handled.

•    Make sure there are sufficient flat spaces such as counter tops as well as tables or benches in areas where you will be working or where you may have to juggle or carry loads while performing a task.

•    Install faucets with lever handles.

6)    Eyesight—Diminished eyesight can hinder a person from getting around in their home, using appliances, and make everyday tasks more difficult.

•    Ensure that there is sufficient light in every room and work area. Installing proper or additional lighting is one of the best (and most inexpensive) things you can do for yourself if you have difficulty seeing.

•    Make sure floor transitions are easily distinguishable. Having contrasting colors at floor transitions will make them easier to see.

•    Install appliances that have large displays or text. Choosing models that do will make doing chores much easier and reduce the chance of errors.

7)    Sitting and Lying Down—For the same reasons mentioned in Balance and Standing, sitting and lying down safely (and getting back up again) can be issues for seniors and people with disabilities.

•    Make sure your home has plenty of open space where couches or chairs can be added to accommodate assistive devices (like walkers) needed for safely sitting and standing.

•    Make sure there is sufficient space in your bedroom to enter or exit a bed if you are using a walker. Also consider bed safety rails.

•    Design bathrooms to allow for the installation of grab bars.

•    You can also consult with your physician or occupational therapist to discuss your options for walking, sitting, or standing assistance.

Remember, it may not be easy to find, build, or remodel the exact home that will meet all of your future, aging-in-place needs. However, covering the bases for what most people experience as they age is a good place to start. An aging-in-place remodeler like Home Evolutions can help you choose the renovations and additions that are right for you.

Regardless of whether you remodel, buy, or build, the above suggestions are all possible issues that you should be mindful of when evaluating the aging-in-place features of your home. This list is by no means all inclusive, but merely a few general conditions to help get you thinking in the right direction.

Of the seven tips presented here, which ones specifically would help you to remain living comfortably, safely, and independently at home?

In one of our previous blogs we discussed innovative and new technologies that can assist you with your aging-in-place plans. These included gadgets like motion sensors, pneumatic tubes that measure weight shifts, smart carpets, talking pill boxes, and even robotic companion pets.

But there is one piece of technology that, although it has become extremely commonplace, it’s perhaps the most highly effective and integral piece of equipment that can help seniors and people with disabilities remain living comfortably and safely in their own homes—the cell phone.

The cell phone is still the most basic, high-tech gadget that can greatly enhance your independence, not to mention being a constant and reliable lifeline to loved ones, healthcare contacts, and emergency services.

Since their invention, cell phones have advanced in size, clarity, range, battery life, and helpful applications. And recently, cell phones have even begun to be intentionally designed with seniors in mind. In fact, companies like Jitterbug offer cell phones and services specifically for seniors and their unique needs.

Clarity’s ClarityLife C900 is one of the newest cell phones designed especially for seniors, and it highlights some of the best ‘senior-friendly’ functions and most advanced technology available.

In addition to the C900, Clarity also offers a wide range of home phones and phone amplifiers for people with hearing impairments. But their new cell phone offers a wide variety of features that make using it simple and easy. For example, it only has four buttons, an easy-to-read display, and it is two times louder than normal cell phones.

As the first wave of the next generation of cell phones for seniors and people with disabilities, you’ll notice some other distinct differences on the C900 right away:

•    Very large back-lit display;
•    Amplification up to 20 decibels;
•    A big, red, emergency button;
•    Flashing ringer;
•    Super-strong vibration ring;
•    Text messaging compatible.

The C900 is also unlocked, which means you can take it to most major service providers and have it easily activated. For more information about the ClarityLife C900 or other Clarity products, please visit their website at:  www.clarityproducts.com.

Companies like Home Evolutions can remodel residences while incorporating many new technologies that can greatly facilitate aging-in-place. But always try to keep in mind the tools you may have access to now that can also help you remain living comfortably, safely, and independently at home.

Are there other technologies like cell phones that you currently have which can help you or a loved one continue to age-in-place?

Today’s building remodelers are modifying homes to make them both universal and sustainable. More than ever, homeowners are looking for ways to make their homes more energy-efficient. In addition to wanting to age in place, seniors and people with disabilities want to reduce their energy costs and maintenance bills as well as their impact on the environment. From low-maintenance pre-finished materials, to water-saving fixtures and Energy Star™ appliances, these are some of the ways your home can help reduce environmental impacts. These green features will save you money over the years and also leave a minimal carbon footprint.

One California designer turned this house into a showcase of modern green technology as well as comfortable living. The house has won several awards for universal and green design, including most recently the National Contractor of the Year Award from the National Remodelers Association (NARI) for Residential Universal Design. While this house was built for the designer’s partner’s mother, it is also their “forever house.”

Some of the features added to the home included:

• A roof with 54 solar panels.
• An elevator.
• A bathroom vanity that lowers to wheelchair height.
• A zero-step entry wooden ramp from the hilly street level down to the front door.
• Removing a wall in the entry hall and a closet in the living room to open the vista from the front door through the living room and out to the hillside views.
• Curbless showers in the master bath.
• An energy-saving gas fireplace, which provides the main source of heat, in five of the rooms in the house
• A laundry room that doubles as a kitchenette for the downstairs master bedroom. This allows the homeowners to hang their laundry, except for towels, to line-dry across the long back wall. A heated countertop for folding dries the moisture from the air.

They also made “green” plans to cool the house, especially when the sun pours into the living room on hot summer mornings. They installed exterior European rolling shutters that not only descend at the push of a button, but also flap shut.

What sustainable features have you added to your home or would you like to incorporate into your universal design? Let us know.

Don’t forget. Through May 31, 2009, as part of our outstanding service to our customers, Home Evolutions is offering a free in-home assessment. We’ll conduct a thorough evaluation of your current lifestyle and home to identify what can make your home safer and more accessible. Please note:  This limited time offer is currently available only to residences within Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in this free, limited time offer, please fill out our contact form today and one of our representatives will be in touch to schedule a convenient time to visit you in your home.

Kitchen & Bath Design News recently published this article about storage solutions that make your kitchen more efficient thanks to the ideas of aging in place and Universal Design. Today, designers and customers are embracing the concepts of Universal Design more frequently.

Many of the products used today as part of Universal Design were either custom made or designed for other purposes. One designer says that “many designers are looking for ways to address specific needs now and for the future as their customers age in their homes. There may be opportunities for storage product manufacturers as some specific Universal Design applications reach a critical mass where products can be designed and manufactured to be sold for these purposes.”

According to Donna Matsumoto, VP/product development for Doug Mockett & Co. in Los Angeles, CA, “Convenience is always one of the most important factors when it comes to new kitchen designs. However, it can be tricky trying to incorporate convenience into a design without compromising the overall aesthetic appeal. Fusing style with functionality helps to streamline the modern kitchen environment. By concealing options and stowing away traditional kitchen appliances, modern design tends to create a very clean and simple feel while highlighting its basic features.”

New design changes have added convenience to the overall appeal of the kitchen, such as toe kicks that open a low-lying cabinet with just a tap, adjustable-height solutions, and infrared and new wave technology according to Lynn Schrage, marketing manager for The Kohler Store, in Chicago, IL.

Schrage says that touch-free technology not only makes opening a cabinet or drawer quiet and easy, it also helps avoid contamination throughout the home.

The popularity of drawers has led to innovative designs that maximize the use of the space inside. One designer notes that there “is a trend toward wider and deeper drawers to store untidy items such as boxes, canisters, jars and other things that, until recently, have been kept habitually in upper cabinets or on the countertop.”

Another new trend is a tap-to-open is a newer concept. This technology is based on an electrical drive that, once triggered, opens the drawer.

Socially responsible designs and sustainability are key factors in today’s kitchen design, according to Rebecca Hewing of John Boos & Co. Hewing, national sales manager/Kitchen Countertop Division for the Effingham, IL-based manufacturer. Hewing says “Using natural, renewable materials” and ensuring low-energy costs is important to today’s consumer.

Adds Matsumoto, “The green movement has made consumers more aware of the materials used in manufacturing. There is a heightened concern for eliminating wasteful products and using recycled material. The life expectancy of a part can be taken into consideration to prevent multiple replacements, thus making durability a major factor.”

Read the article and let us know what you think about some of these new Universal Design concepts for the kitchen. Will they make your life easier?

And don’t forget. Through May 31, 2009, as part of our outstanding service to our customers, Home Evolutions is offering a free in-home assessment. We’ll conduct a thorough evaluation of your current lifestyle and home to identify what can make your home safer and more accessible. Please note:  This limited time offer is currently available only to residences within Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in this free, limited time offer, please fill out our contact form today and one of our representatives will be in touch to schedule a convenient time to visit you in your home.

Here at Home Evolutions, we are always interested in informing you about all of the personalized home remodeling options that we offer which can help you to age-in-place comfortably and safely. But we also occasionally like to present other ideas and options (like home sharing) that may also allow you to remain living independently in your own house for years to come.

In a recent article by Dr. Christina M. Anastasia, she addresses this growing, aging-in-place living option. Anastasia believes that as more seniors and people with disabilities choose to age-in-place, one nontraditional option that is now taking root in the United States and abroad is home sharing/cooperative living—or sharing a home with one or more people. She notes, “This long overlooked option may satisfy many of the different needs of retirees.”

The article references a research study exploring factors that influence people who are seeking non-traditional cooperative living arrangements during retirement. The study observed 18 retired or near-retired people who were home sharing.

Seniors and people with disabilities may each have very different and specific personal, medical, financial, and other reasons why they would choose to home share. “While economic factors influenced the initial decision to live cooperatively, social interaction through friendship and activity was the primary driving force remaining in this alternative type of living scenario,” adds Anastasia.

In other words, the study found that home sharing can satisfy both financial necessity and personal needs for interaction and socialization during life’s later years. In fact, most of the situations examined initially began out of financial need, but then progressed into social environments of friendships and relationships that also increased overall satisfaction with living and aging.

The study also addressed the natural fear of aging, and how home sharing can help somewhat alleviate that fear. Anastasia explains, “It found that as people entered into these home sharing situations, this fear of the unknown was replaced with an excitement about life as a retiree.” So as an added bonus, financial and social necessities are also satisfied because (as shown by the study’s results), home sharing participants share resources and eventually begin embracing other activities that are not associated with just surviving.

“Volunteering, physical activity, reading, writing, and traveling were among the more popular changes in the living scenarios,” adds Anastasia.

She offers the following tips to consider before deciding to home share:

•    Research home sharing;
•    First talk to friends who might want to share a home;
•    Pre-existing friendships eliminate much of the fear associated with change;
•    Ask for references when deciding to use home share matching organizations.

And remember, if you do decide that home sharing might be an option, you can also greatly enhance the livability of your house for you and your living companion by utilizing the CAPS designated, aging-in-place, remodeling services of a company like Home Evolutions.

Take the next step toward your independent future. Now through May 31, 2009, as part of our outstanding service to our customers, Home Evolutions is offering a free in-home assessment. We’ll conduct a thorough evaluation of your current lifestyle and home to identify what can make your home safer and more accessible. Please note:  This limited time offer is currently available only to residences within Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in this free, limited time offer, please fill out our contact form today and one of our representatives will be in touch to schedule a convenient time to visit you in your home.

Might home sharing be an aging-in-place option for you? Is your house aging-in-place ready for a cooperative living companion?

Today, there are many unique and innovative residential options for seniors and people with disabilities wishing to age-in-place. In addition to companies like Home Evolutions that can appropriately modify existing homes, others offer entire communities and housing developments that are dedicated to independent living. As always, you and your loved ones must determine which aging-in-place options are best for you personally.

Americare is one such community-based housing conglomerate which is located in the Midwest. For over 25 years, Americare has extended care to senior generations in America’s heartland. In addition to fully independent living residences, the company also offers a variety of other lifestyle options including assisted living, Alzheimer’s care, and skilled nursing. Americare’s communities can be found throughout Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

At the heart of every Americare community is a philosophy of “person-centered care.” This philosophy guides Americare’s decision making policies and the company believes that “person-centered care” truly makes a difference in the lives of its residents and their families.

In its independent living communities called The Cottages, Americare offers a variety of maintenance-free homes in various sizes to fit each individual’s needs. These residences offer catered living to seniors and balance independence with security. Each maintenance-free, two-bedroom cottage is equipped with a full kitchen, washer, dryer, screened porch, and emergency call/intercom system.

Americare offers beautifully situated, intimate, independent cottages in the states of Kansas and Missouri. Also, in response to inconsistent pharmacy services, Americare developed Pegasus—its own, in-house pharmaceutical provider to address its communities’ needs. Today, from a single location, Pegasus serves residents living in all of Americare’s 88 communities in four states.

The Americare Experience Project is a collection of stories from Americare’s communities. Each unique story is told from the different perspectives of residents, families, and Americare co-workers.

Take the next step toward your independent future. Now through May 31, 2009, as part of our outstanding service to our customers, Home Evolutions is offering a free in-home assessment. We’ll conduct a thorough evaluation of your current lifestyle and home to identify what can make your home safer and more accessible. Please note:  This limited time offer is currently available only to residences within Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in this free, limited time offer, please fill out our contact form today and one of our representatives will be in touch to schedule a convenient time to visit you in your home.

Specifically, what kind of independent, aging-in-place option would you or your loved one prefer?

The Tribune-Review did a nice story about our company in today’s edition. The article focuses on Jen and Bob Mankowski, whose home we modified last year.

The article came about when the Tribune-Review learned that my mom, Carolyn Vidt, was posthumously honored for her work with the disability movement in the state at the Power Through Knowledge Independent Living Conference at the Hilton in Harrisburg earlier this month. I accepted the award in honor of my mother.
This conference is produced by the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council (PA SILC) and is the largest cross-disability conference in the state.

The PA SILC annually issues its Power Through Knowledge Awards to people who have made a difference in the lives of others and who have furthered the Independent Living movement and the empowerment of people with disabilities.

My mom, former chair of the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council and governor-appointed member of the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council, as well as dedicated disability advocate, passed away in her home in Pittsburgh earlier this year. I was inspired to start his business because of her.

After helping her modify her home in order to meet her own mobility needs, I realized the need for highly qualified home modification specialists and proceeded to become an expert in the field and attain the necessary certifications. I also spent over two years living with and caring for my grandfather, learning first-hand what it is like to grow old.

This experience taught me about the emotional and psychological effects associated with people being unable to do the things they once could. During this time, I came to fully understand the frustrations that my grandfather and others felt from their loss of freedom.

As a result, I developed Home Evolutions through many years of providing personal care to my grandfather and helping my mother through her personal struggles with her disabilities. Through my personal experiences and training, I understand the changing needs of those who are aging or who live with disabilities.